Towering opposition to club

A SUPERCLUB hosting massive raves is set to open next door to one of Manchester's most exclusive properties. The 2,500-capacity club - which would open all night in a car park under railway arches behind the Beetham Tower - would stage dance and live music events on up to 20 weekends a year. But 60 objections have been lodged with Manchester council by owners of the tower's expensive apartments.

A SUPERCLUB hosting massive raves is set to open next door to one of Manchester's most exclusive properties.

The 2,500-capacity club - which would open all night in a car park under railway arches behind the Beetham Tower - would stage dance and live music events on up to 20 weekends a year.

But 60 objections have been lodged with Manchester council by owners of the tower's expensive apartments.

They fear it will bring late-night music misery.

The club, called Labyrinth, would open from 10pm until 6am. Owners of the popular Manchester club Sankey's have applied for a licence for Labyrinth to use the Park Avenue car park on Albion Street on the weekends and also on New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Easter weekend and other Bank Holidays.

If the licence is granted to Sankey's Limited, who would own Labyrinth, the `event space' will open in June. It would be the second largest nightclub venue in Manchester after Pure in the Printworks, which has a 2,700 capacity.

Carl Austin, 36, who lives on the 27th floor of Beetham Tower, said: "The potential noise and disruption caused by this super club is worrying.

"When a series of concerts were held at the G-Mex over the Christmas period, we were kept awake night after night with noise, especially with people leaving the venue.

Problems

"This is closer and residents don't want thousands of people churning out and chucking up in their doorways at closing time.

"The entrance will be down Trafford Street, which is basically an alley with only one way out. It's a bottleneck and that could cause real problems.

"Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a night out and go to clubs quite a lot. But they're in designated venues that have been there for a long time."

Anthony McCaul, city centre resident and Labour campaigner, said: "Residents are rightly concerned about the application for this mega club, which is completely out of keeping with the area. This club would create noise and disruption for thousands of residents.

"We're not party poopers but this club application is too much - in scale, scope, capacity and location. I'm calling on the licensing committee to turn this application down."

A spokesman for Sankey's said they would contact residents in Beetham Tower - on Deansgate - and the nearby Hacienda apartment building to discuss their concerns.

David Vincent, of Sankey's, said: "We do not think we are likely to cause any particular distress or nuisance to residents and I would hate to think they consider this the case. We noticed the building is made out of very thick brick, which is perfect for absorbing noise.

"This is one of the main reasons why we chose this venue as we know we will not be affecting residents with noise pollution problems.

"We will be contacting the residents of the Haçienda Apartments and Beetham Tower in more detail in due course to reassure them."

Sankey's application will go before the licensing committee on Wednesday, April 2.